Two Methods for Easy, Accurate Nine-Patch Blocks
Choose Based on Your Project!
Nine-patch blocks are quilt design mainstays. Whether they are large or small, simple or complex, chances are you’ll need to make many of them over the course of your quilting career.
Two methods simplify construction and it pays to be familiar with them both. Choose between them based on the quilt’s design and the finished blocks.
The first, and most common method, starts with strip sets. This is the perfect choice when only two or three fabrics are needed to create a nine-patch block. The process is demonstrated in the following video by Susan Claire from Gourmet Quilter.
Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.
But what if there are multiple fabrics in each block, or you’re working from squares instead of fabric that can be cut into strips? In that case chain piecing makes the blocks go together quickly.
In the following video Colleen Tauke from Fons and Porter demonstrates how to put a nine-patch block together with chain piecing. She’s showing how to construct the “Nine Patch Park Quilt” so skip the parts that don’t apply to your project (block construction begins at about 1:40).
We like how she organizes the sewing so the patches all end up in the right spot. Plus, her chain piecing technique makes the blocks easy to complete.
Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.
In the final video, Penny Haren also demonstrates the chain piecing method. She goes into more detail and provides many helpful tips. She also shows how to quickly fussy cut the center block, if desired, and how to work with directional fabrics.
Notice how she stacks the patches for each block so they’re ready to sew when you can get to them. Her method leaves little room for placement errors. Nice!
Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.
Whether you’ll frame your nine-patch blocks, set them on point, cut them up or keep them plain, one of these methods is sure to speed construction in most projects that require them.
Image Source: The photo at the top of the page is from Pinterest.
